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Janet · 08-05-2013, 10:08 AM posted to uk.rec.gardening

In article ,
says...

On Tue, 7 May 2013 20:25:45 +0100, Roger Tonkin
wrote:

I have tried this technique once or twice without much
success. Either I get masses of weeds coming through,
or the grass clippings coagulate into a sticky mess
(as they do in a compost heap if you put too many in
at once).

I would really like to use the clipping to mulch
around my respberries as they are getting old and weak
and I was hoping that would help next years canes
develop.

Any tips please?

Most of my grass clippings go straight onto the beds around shrubs,
except where the compost heap is nearer to hand.

I use them on all beds, and regularly add a thick duvet-layer to
compost bins to heat them up/ keep them hot. Several neighbours donate
their clippings,so we have a constant supply.

They are applied
fairly thinly, i.e. probably 2 inches maximum, go brown within a few
days so cease to be noticeable, and disappear after a few weeks. They
suppress weed-seed germination, but won't stop weeds that are already
established: these just grow through the mulch. They also improve the
soil and help to retain moisture. Birds turn the mulch over, looking
for worms etc.

I was about to say.. birds do the work of preventing the coagulation
problem; so encourage birds in your garden, especially ones that forage
for worms and insects (blackbirds, robins, thrushes and starlings. If
you can employ pheasants, even better :-)
Throw a few crumbs or scatter some wheat on the clippings mulch and
they'll soon get the idea.

Janet